Hyperemesis Support

[LucindaE]

I hope everyone suffering from the Horrors of Hyperemesis will find this thread useful as a source of support and information.

There's no TMI on here - can't be by definition - and nobody should feel ashamed of moaning as much as they feel the need to.

MOH's wonderful website is full of useful information on this illness:
sites.google.com/site/pregnancysicknesssos/
Another invaluable website is:
www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/
If you need help in obtaining medication, this phone number is
brilliant:
024 7638 2020

Lastly, the NICE guidelines on treatment are useful:
cks.nice.org.uk/nauseavomiting-in-pregnancy#!prescribinginfosub

I would like to thank Everyone who has given such invaluable support and advice on this and on previous threads.

Remember when you are at your worst, 'This Too Shall Pass'. It really will.
So many women on this thread have thought they couldn't get through this, but they did.

Hi all,

Just checking in and marking my place again haven't had the chance to read back much. Sorry to hear there are so many still suffering I agree with what's been said about work though and am pleased for those that have supportive employers and co-workers.

Having a bad couple of days here but I had a distressing appointment at the hospital yesterday. And anxiety makes my nausea worse. I was supposed to get a date for my c section yesterday but the doctor I saw now doesn't think I have any medical need and disagrees with all the other doctors. I also had to have an internal scan to check for low placenta and was hooked up to a fetal heart rate monitor which I wasn't prepared for either.they didn't tell me why.They've told me that she's huge and measuring a week ahead too (measures 38 weeks and 7.9lb) I'm 37 weeks today said I could still have a section if I wanted one but couldn't advise me either way. I'm so confused.

Finding the reflux still a pain too. A friend told me if you still have it at my stage it means you're not ready yet has anyone else heard that?

Mrsnec you poor thing that all sounds very stressful. They're supposed to be the experts so very difficult when they contradict each other. Lots of people on here had / are having cs so hopefully one of them will be along to advise soon.

Anyone else find they occasionally have blood in their puke? Is this something I need to worry about?

Thanks oak. It's a strange one. I'm actually not scared of the cs and had been gearing myself up for one. Everyone on here had very positive experiences and there's the thing about feeling better sooner but now you have someone telling you there's no medical need it was a kind of 'on your head be it' attitude. My dh doesn't think I could cope with a natural birth but I'm feeling pressured to try now despite all the issues.

Worried about the weight thing too which might not be accurate. Have booked another apt next week and will decide then I think. They only do elcs on Mondays so if I want one its at 37+5 or 38+5.

And yes I had blood in puke before sometimes it's nothing to worry about. It can be from your gums or just your throat from retching so much it's nasty though and yes it's worrying in my case it wasn't very much though. Sorry I couldn't be of much help and hope its better soon.

Hi all, thanks so much for all the good wishes! My baby boy was born at 2.30 on Monday he's wonderful! Absolutely perfect! I on the other hand have found the first few days very tough (although sickness reduced to a wave or two of nausea once or twice a day- bliss). Am going home from hospital in a couple of hours and am feeling much better today so hopefully things are on the up!

Congratulations lottie am so so pleased for you. glad that you are on your way home today xxx

quite often had blood in sick okla either due to bleeding gums or I think that your throat can just get very sore from constant puking as well. I often also had profuse nosebleeds whilst puking- just to add to the mess!!

lottie what lovely, lovely news. Is a pic possible? :) So pleased you've come to the end of the torment and the (admittedly tiring) good bit can start now. Isn't it lovely having less nausea!

All the best to you and mini-lottie.

mrsnec nice to hear from you. I would say stand by what you want, which is the ELCS. Your husband also clearly believes it's a good idea and he must have reasons for believing that. I'd go for what your husband and every other doctor has said. If therés one thing that's become clear is that the way you give birth doesn't usually matter in the long run, its the results of the birth that matter. Good luck x

okla a bit of blood is supposed to be ok, but if it's dark and looks like coffee grounds get immediate help.

Congratulations Lottie, what lovely news. Hope you are recovering well.

Okla I've had blood there a couple of times after really bad vomiting, I think it was from my throat being so sore.

Mrsnec it sounds stressful. If the CS is what you want I would go for it, good luck with whatever you decide!

I've decided today not to take on the study workload I had planned. It means I will just complete my deferred work this academic year, which means I have no study to do until March and then it is just 2 essays and an exam. I am going to start the final 60 credits next October instead. This will mean I graduate a year later than I hoped, but it was the original date when I started anyway, it's only my impatience that has made me want to finish sooner! I'm a bit disappointed but since I'm still struggling I need to be realistic and would hate to mess up at the last hurdle. I hope I'm doing the right thing!

it sounds like you are, bas You've had such a hard preg and really, taking care of yourself will pay off. if you pushed yourself to complete it now, I reckon you might well look back and regret it. Baby Bas will be born and a few months old this time next year and with luck everything will be better.

Thanks Meerka x

That's lovely news Lottie congratulations. Yes wed love to see a pic. Glad you're feeling better too.

meerka great advice for oak and bas there and I'm glad things are on the up for you too.

Thanks for the advice everyone I think I will go for it it's just that the first date does feel a little early and even though I'm desperate to feel better and of course to meet her I don't feel ready so I'll have another check up next week then go for the 22nd.

*Lottie!! Congrats. Lovely lovely news. Sorry the first couple of days have been rough.

Good idea Bas. It definitely sounds like you have made the best decision.

MrsNec sounds like a really stressful few days. I hope it improves and they stop putting you through the wringer.

Okla yes to blood in puke on my really bad days Makes me panic.

Odansetron and cyclizine still seem to be working really well for me 99% of the time. Still have to take things very easy or nausea rears it's head but you lot have scared me in to taking it super easy. Thank-you all for such lovely support.

Congratulations Lottie! I couldn't wait to get out of hospital either, it's much easier to relax and find your own rhythm at home.

mrsnec it must be very frustrating having to argue for a CS! Don't let anyone make you feel like the CS decision is "on your head". The baby has to be born somehow so in that sense VB, CS, whatever it's all your body and all your decision. There are risks with all options, no one knows the future before deciding, we just make what seems as the most reasonable decision at the time.

Lottie Congratulations!!! :-D

I started on the Ondansetron yesterday afternoon and have since not thrown up! It's felt amazing to have a near normal day! I've had a few waves of nausea that I've got through, nothing like before. So much relief to be able to build up some strength and actually eat something, hope it lasts a while!

But it seems Ondansetron is the drug for me! Just wish they had prescribed it earlier! I read online that its very expensive and doctors are reluctant to prescribe it?

Definitely not rushing back into work, I've learnt my lesson now!!!

Just daahing on to say, Lottie I am so happy for you
k. I hope even the waves of nausea vanish in no time.
You were a real stoic. Now for the happy bit.
Oklahoma Re: blood I've always understood if it's red its probably from the throat and fresh (I get it puking with migraines) but if it'[s brown, it does need investigating as being from the stomach.
Waves to Everyone and leaves, clucking anxiously...
xx

Hi all, May I join this group?

I am currently in hospital (for the second time) due to hyperemesis. I have been unable to hold down food/fluids for the past 4 days. I usually vomit everyday (with severe nausea ) and have tried all types of anti sickness tablets but unfortunately I am unable to keep them down. My regular anti sickness meds are ondansetron, but they don't seem to be effective.

I am 13 weeks pregnant and have had severe sickness since week 3. Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated.

durham congratulations on your pregnancy but very sorry to hear you are so ill :(

Lucinda posted some great links to two sites above, pregnancy sickness support is one. There's quite a bit of good advice there on what to try.

I suspect you know a lot already but rest, rest, rest is the second most helpful thing after meds. Ondansetron is the strongest safe non-steroidal med available, and you're already on it. If it's not helping then you've got quite a severe case :s After this it's steroids which are slightly more risky.

Some people respond better to a cocktail of meds - ondan with cyclizine or promethazine for instance. Has your consultant considered this? Actually is your consultant HG-aware at all? many are not.

maybe you know this already since it's your second but many people start to improve around week 14 - 21. At week 12 you're probably still right in the thick of it. But you almost certainly won't stay this ill the whole time.

If they have you on a drip, that will help a little bit in itself. Rehydrating the body and restoring the electrolyte balance does help reduce nausea a bit.

Hoping you are on a quiet ward and are being well looked after. Have you got support at home? supportive partner or family nearby to help with your older child and with the house? Please tell me you aren't trying to work with this level of HG ... !

sorry i misunderstood your post - you're in hospital for the 2nd time, not it's your 2nd pregnancy. Is this your first then?

Hi Meerka this is my first pregnancy so haven't been through this before.
My consultant seems very hg aware and has considered steroid treatment if cocktail method doesn't work. Unfortunately cyclizine makes me very sick so we have ruled that out. Ondansetron works very well via iv method but as soon as any meds go into my system orally I can't seem to tolerate them. Tomorrow we are trying a day of oral meds (comboinatioon of ondans and metoclopramide) to see how I go before moving onto steroids.

Fluids are great and have helped a great deal with nausea, I'm now on my 6th bag in 24 hours...much needed!!

I haven't worked for about 10 weeks it's just impossible, I may end up being signed off for another few weeks if it doesn't ease soon. My partner has been great, really supportive but undersandably he is very worried.

Waves at Durham. Glad you came over here. Hope you can get lots of help here.

oh great, HG is hellish but it sounds like you are getting good treatment. I'm afraid that you are probably doing all you can atm then :s

As long as you get good treatment, mother and baby generally pull through alright. There are people on this thread who have been in hospital for weeks and monitored very closely and they've been ok. The main problem is the long term endurance and the sheer misery of the whole thing. Mentally it can take a toll of you as well as physically, I mean you were probably fit and healthy and owrking before this and now it's just misery. It does pass, honestly, it really does.

Would it help your husband if he looked at the thread? and sees that people do pull through and get to the end?

take care today [non-scented ]

Well I'm in for another night. Tried combo of ondansetron and metoclopramide but still vomited. So now metoclopramide is a no no along with Cyclizine (they make me worse) . Ondansetron dose has now been upped to see if that helps...If I can't keep oral meds down over the next 24 hrs it's onto steroid treatment

Got to continue iv fluids as I'm still dry even after 7 litres. Fingers crossed I can keep the meds down and go home tomorrow. If not we just keep in going!

hmm. that's a lot of liquid!

how long have you been unable to keep food down for ? Ketones (the things they measure to see how dehydrated you are) also show up if you don't eat long enough or if you loose weight too fast. It's a measure of your body starting to eat itself for sustenance.

It could be worth mentioning. Also becuase they may want to consider giving you topup vits and minerals in particular. The baby draws what it needs from you, but not all vitamins are stored well in the body. If you have been going without food for 10 weeks, it's just possible that you're running short.

I had huge amounts of ketones in my urine plus I still have other signs of dryness (mouth in terrible state) . My urine was clear of ketones this morning but they want to check again later. They are keeping an eye on me.

They are also giving me vitamins too which is good. Before being admitted I hadn't eaten or drunk anything for 4 days and prior to that it has been minimal intake. I have lost almost a stone so far so quite a bit of weight loss for me in a short space (thankfully I am not underweight).

oh good, glad to hear youre getting topups. You must have really been in a bad way before they took you in :( is your doctor helpful?

Just came by to read the thread as I'm starting to really struggle and know that it's only going to get worse. I felt quite depressed at the thought of it. Then I read Lottie's post and remembered what it's like when you get to go home with your baby and no longer feel sick. There is now light at the end of the tunnel.